Putting on the helmet of hope

But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

Those last few words struck me. “Put on the helmet of hope.”

We live in a world where there isn’t much hope. Where there seems to be a lot of despair, even among Christians. We see the problems of this world. We see our own personal problems. And we start to lose hope.

But Paul says to put on the helmet of hope to protect us from those thoughts of despair. What kind of hope, though?

The hope of our salvation.

Hope that judgment will come to this world for all the evil we see. But hope that we will not share in God’s wrath on judgment day.

Hope that because Jesus died for our sins, our relationship with God has been restored. And because of that, whether we live or die, he will always be by our side. (9-10)

Hope that though we are imperfect, constantly struggling with our sins and weaknesses, God will sanctify us completely, keeping our whole mind, soul, and body sound and blameless until Jesus comes.

We may not always be faithful.

But the God who has called us is faithful. And he will do it (24).

So let us put on the helmet of hope.

And may our faith that God is good and that he loves us always guard our hearts.